Measurement of Elemental Compositions of Selected Tropical Wood Species – a Case Study of Pra Anum Forest, Ghana

2015

English

The elemental compositions and concentration of major and minor trace elements of twenty (20) tropical hardwoods from the environmental site of Pra Anum forest (longitudes 1o 12’ and 1o 15’ W; latitude 6o 14’ and 6o 20’ N) were determined using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA). The investigation covered samples from the immediate vicinity of the soil in which the woods were grown, the root, stem and the leaf segments of the wood species. A total of seven major trace elements (Al, Mg, Ca, K, Na, Cl, Na) and two minor trace elements (Br, La) were identified. The concentrations of all the elements were found to be generally highest in the leaves (> 10,000 ppm) of all the wood species. Ca and K were found in highest concentration levels in the stem (> 500 ppm) of the wood species, Albizia zygia, Morinda lucida and Stromboria glaucescens. In the root, Ca and K were found comparatively high (> 500 ppm) in Daniellia ogeafaro, Albizia zygia, Morinda lucida and Stromboria glaucescens. There were anomalous cases of certain wood species having greater concentrations of trace elements in their parts than that measured in the soils. The concentrations of Ca in Albizia zygia and Morinda lucida were found to be on the average, constant for the roots, stems and leaves.

Aggrey-Smith, S.; Preko, K.; Wilson, F.; Gbadago, J.